Reimagining Blackness and Architecture

  • 4.9
Approx. 14 hours to complete

Course Summary

Explore how blackness has been constructed, perceived, and represented in architecture and urbanism throughout history.

Key Learning Points

  • Understand the role of race and identity in architecture and urbanism
  • Gain insight into the experiences of Black architects and their contributions to the field
  • Examine case studies of Black communities and their built environments

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

    • USA: $80,750
    • India: ₹4,87,000
    • Spain: €34,000
    • USA: $80,750
    • India: ₹4,87,000
    • Spain: €34,000

    • USA: $68,220
    • India: ₹5,44,000
    • Spain: €26,000
    • USA: $80,750
    • India: ₹4,87,000
    • Spain: €34,000

    • USA: $68,220
    • India: ₹5,44,000
    • Spain: €26,000

    • USA: $63,680
    • India: ₹3,92,000
    • Spain: €24,000

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Recognize how race and identity intersect with architecture and urbanism
  • Evaluate the contributions of Black architects to the field
  • Analyze the built environment of Black communities

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • No prior knowledge or experience required
  • Access to a computer and internet connection

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online self-paced course
  • Video lectures
  • Reading materials
  • Quizzes and assignments

Similar Courses

  • Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life and History
  • Social and Cultural Analysis of Education
  • Built Environments

Related Education Paths


Notable People in This Field

  • Managing Director and Principal, Perkins and Will
  • Founder and Principal, Adjaye Associates

Related Books

Description

Architecture structures our daily lives. It shapes our homes, streets, neighborhoods, cities and more. But who gets to create and occupy these spaces? In the United States, a long history of anti-Black racism has created spatial inequalities that are built into the physical environment and erased the stories of Black architects and communities.

Knowledge

  • Recognize how race and racism shape architecture and the built environment and the role we as individuals play in creating a just and equitable world
  • Explore work by Black architects and artists and discover how Black makers have shaped and reimagined the built environment
  • Find inspiration by learning about the ways Black makers have fashioned their own paths and advocated for better futures

Outline

  • Introduction
  • Trailer for Reimagining Blackness and Architecture
  • Charles Davis on the expansive field of architecture
  • Adrienne Brown on the Reconstruction era
  • Kara Walker on 40 Acres of Mules, 2015
  • Deana Lawson on Nation, 2017
  • Welcome to the course!
  • Guide to Module 1
  • Getting started: How does this course work?
  • Interview with Sean Anderson and Mabel Wilson
  • An artist confronts history
  • The Black Reconstruction Collective
  • What is architecture?
  • Key terms
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Ground rules for engagement
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Optional pre-course survey
  • Module 1 Quiz
  • Imagination
  • Walter J. Hood on Black Towers / Black Power
  • Germane Barnes on A Spectrum of Blackness
  • Pope.L on The Black Factory Archive, 2003–ongoing
  • Michelle Joan Wilkinson on representation and Black space
  • Garrett Bradley and Donna Crump on America, 2019
  • Introduction to this week
  • Walter Hood, Black Towers / Black Power
  • Germane Barnes, A Spectrum of Blackness
  • What is Blackness?
  • New ways of seeing
  • Advice for emerging architects and creatives
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Module 2 Quiz
  • Care
  • J. Yolande Daniels on Black City: The Los Angeles Edition
  • Sekou Cooke on We Outchea: Hip Hop Fabrications and Public Space
  • Audrey Petty on High Rise Stories
  • Zora J Murff on the series At No Point in Between, 2018–19
  • Betye Saar on "Keep for Old Memiors", 1976
  • Maren Hassinger on Leaning, 1980
  • Introduction to this week
  • J. Yolande Daniels, Black City: The Los Angeles Edition
  • Sekou Cooke, We Outchea: Hip Hop Fabrications and Public Space
  • The tender lenses of two photographers
  • Artists repurposing objects and salvaging materials
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Optional mid-course survey
  • Module 3 Quiz
  • Knowledge
  • Amanda Williams on We’re Not Down There, We’re Over Here
  • Olalekan Jeyifous on The Frozen Neighborhoods
  • Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, 1940–41
  • Willie Cole on Domestic ID III and IV, 1991–92
  • Lorna Simpson on Wigs, 1994
  • Introduction to this week
  • Amanda Williams, We’re Not Down There, We’re Over Here
  • Olalekan Jeyifous, The Frozen Neighborhoods
  • Portfolio: Bodys Isek Kingelez
  • Portraits of yesterday
  • The magic of stories
  • Artifacts for the future
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Module 4 Quiz
  • Refusal
  • Emanuel Admassu on Immeasurability
  • V. Mitch McEwen on R:R
  • Robert McNeill, The Bronx Slave Market series, 1937
  • V. Mitch McEwen on Philip Johnson, Architecture, and White Supremacy
  • Faith Ringgold on American People Series #20: Die, 1967
  • Robin Coste Lewis reads a poem on Barbara Chase-Riboud, The Albino, 1972
  • Melvin Edwards on Lynch Fragment Series, 1986–89
  • Introduction to this week
  • Emanuel Admassu, Immeasurability
  • V. Mitch McEwen, R:R
  • Artists making their own stories
  • Artists making their own path
  • Artists refusing expectations
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Module 5 Quiz
  • Liberation
  • Felecia Davis on Fabricating Networks: Transmissions and Receptions from Pittsburgh’s Hill District
  • Mario Gooden on The Refusal of Space
  • Justin Garrett Moore on Architectures of Difference
  • Hervé Télémaque on No title (The Ugly American)
  • Ibrahim El-Salahi, Prison Notebook, 1976
  • Introduction to this week
  • Felecia Davis, Fabricating Networks: Transmissions and Receptions from Pittsburgh's Hill District
  • Mario Gooden, The Refusal of Space
  • Searching for freedom
  • The power of printmaking
  • Optional readings and resources
  • Optional prompts for discussion, reflection, and creative response
  • Optional course completion survey
  • Module 6 Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the relationship between blackness and architecture and how it shapes our understanding of space, culture, and identity. This course has received positive reviews from students who appreciated its unique perspective on architecture and the black experience.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course's exploration of the intersection between architecture and blackness was well-received by many users.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Unique perspective on architecture and blackness
  • Engaging lectures and readings
  • Well-organized course structure
  • Knowledgeable and responsive instructors
  • Opportunities for discussion and collaboration with peers

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course material too dense or academic
  • A few technical issues with the online platform
  • Limited opportunities for direct interaction with instructors
  • Some users felt that the course could benefit from more visual aids or multimedia content
  • A few users found the pace of the course to be too slow or too fast
English
Available now
Approx. 14 hours to complete
Arlette Hernandez, Sean Anderson
The Museum of Modern Art
Coursera

Instructor

Arlette Hernandez

  • 4.9 Raiting
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